Ray named dean of Kimmel School

From Staff Reports

Published: Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 6:24 p.m.

Western Carolina University announced this week that Jeffrey L. Ray will be the university's next dean of the Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology, which will offer its undergraduate engineering program at the new Biltmore Park location this fall.

Jeffrey L. Ray has been named Western Carolina University's next dean of the Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Ray will relocate from Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga., where he is the dean of the School of Engineering Technology and Management. According to a news release, Ray has served as dean and professor of mechanical engineering technology at SPSU since 2007.

Ray's appointment as dean of the Kimmel School is effective Aug. 1, and he will join the Department of Engineering and Technology as a tenured professor. The Kimmel School houses the Department of Construction Management, Department of Engineering and Technology, and Center for Rapid Product Realization.

“Dr. Ray brings a wealth of experience in engineering education, working with industry and in developing engaged learning opportunities for students and faculty,” WCU provost Alison Morrison-Shetlar said in the release.

“His ability to work with many different types of business and industry, his reputation and leadership positions in his professional organizations and his interdisciplinary collaborations are all attributes that will bring recognition to the Kimmel School, building on the very strong foundation that James Zhang and the faculty and staff of the Kimmel School have developed.”

Zhang, who served as dean of the Kimmel School since October 2012, accepted the position of provost at Kettering University in Flint, Mich. George DeSain, former head of WCU's industrial education and technology department, has been serving as acting dean of the Kimmel School since Zhang's exit in May.

Before his departure, Zhang led the April opening of WCU's new undergraduate engineering facility at Biltmore Park Town Square, which will be offering the Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Technology degree programs in the fall.

The university will host an “instant decision day” from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on July 22 for potential students thinking about enrolling in the new undergraduate engineering program at Biltmore Park Town Square, located at 28 Schenck Parkway in Asheville.

Representatives from the Kimmel School, including Ray, will be in attendance to answer questions about the bachelor's degree program in engineering, and admissions counselors will be able to offer same-day decisions to students who apply.

<p>Western Carolina University announced this week that Jeffrey L. Ray will be the university's next dean of the Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology, which will offer its undergraduate engineering program at the new Biltmore Park location this fall. </p><p>Ray will relocate from Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga., where he is the dean of the School of Engineering Technology and Management. According to a news release, Ray has served as dean and professor of mechanical engineering technology at SPSU since 2007.</p><p>Ray's appointment as dean of the Kimmel School is effective Aug. 1, and he will join the Department of Engineering and Technology as a tenured professor. The Kimmel School houses the Department of Construction Management, Department of Engineering and Technology, and Center for Rapid Product Realization.</p><p>“Dr. Ray brings a wealth of experience in engineering education, working with industry and in developing engaged learning opportunities for students and faculty,” WCU provost Alison Morrison-Shetlar said in the release. </p><p>“His ability to work with many different types of business and industry, his reputation and leadership positions in his professional organizations and his interdisciplinary collaborations are all attributes that will bring recognition to the Kimmel School, building on the very strong foundation that James Zhang and the faculty and staff of the Kimmel School have developed.” </p><p>Zhang, who served as dean of the Kimmel School since October 2012, accepted the position of provost at Kettering University in Flint, Mich. George DeSain, former head of WCU's industrial education and technology department, has been serving as acting dean of the Kimmel School since Zhang's exit in May.</p><p>Before his departure, Zhang led the April opening of WCU's new undergraduate engineering facility at Biltmore Park Town Square, which will be offering the Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Technology degree programs in the fall. </p><p>The university will host an “instant decision day” from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on July 22 for potential students thinking about enrolling in the new undergraduate engineering program at Biltmore Park Town Square, located at 28 Schenck Parkway in Asheville.</p><p>Representatives from the Kimmel School, including Ray, will be in attendance to answer questions about the bachelor's degree program in engineering, and admissions counselors will be able to offer same-day decisions to students who apply.</p>